Pa. woman arrested for identity theft charge

LYNN – A Pennsylvania woman was nabbed for identity theft Thursday while attempting to purchase a Range Rover from Lynnway Auto Sales.Debra Staab, 37, of 5221 Glenloch St., Philadelphia, PA, was arrested and charged with identity fraud and attempt to commit a crime.Staab was arraigned at Lynn District Court Friday and is being held in lieu of $2,500 bail at Essex County Correctional Facility until her next scheduled court date on May 7.According to a police report, Staab had recently made arrangements to purchase a 2003 Range Rover under another woman?s name from New York.Police say the victim in New York contacted the dealership at 295 Lynnway after learning her information and credit card had been compromised.Officers spoke with the woman and the General Manager of Lynnway Auto Sales, who supplied documents related to the sales agreement.The documents allegedly showed that Staab had provided the victim?s personal information and signed her name to a credit application, a tenant lease agreement, a vehicle purchase contract, a vehicle service contract, and the title to the Range Rover.Staab also reportedly supplied a New York State driver?s license containing the victim?s personal information alongside her photograph.The original deal was initiated through Internet advertising.Police said Staab arrived at the dealership to fill and sign the necessary documents.The manager then told Staab that he would contact her once everything was approved and the vehicle was ready for pick up.On Thursday, detectives responded to the dealership after learning that Staab had arrived to pick up the vehicle.Upon arrival, detectives placed Staab, who was wearing a gray and black wig, under arrest.During a search, detectives found a piece of paper in Staab?s pocketbook that contained the victim?s personal information.Police say Staab later admitted that she had used the victim?s information in an attempt to buy the vehicle, and that she also used her information to open a line of credit at a Home Depot somewhere in Massachusetts.Staab said she obtained the victim?s information from a man known to her only as Jeff, who she said made all of the arrangements and set everything up.Staab also said that she was supposed to receive half of the profits from the sale of the vehicle, and admitted to a three or four year ongoing heroin addiction.